A recent study reveals that the flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) was present in 90% of 20 Irish and 50 UK polystyrene packaging samples examined. HBCDD is considered as a POP (persistent organic pollutant) and its production and placing on the market is banned since March 2016.

Flame retardants are used in expanded polystyrene (EPS) building insulation materials but not for packaging!

In 2017 a pilot project confirmed a similar situation in Canada’s largest city Toronto, thus hindering the recycling of this plastic waste stream.